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Author:
Jkp-ca (CA)
I have an older home and though it functions, I need to consider replacing the existing gas water heater installed in 1963 - a year after my birth! I live alone so usage is minimal. What I don't understand is why I hear of so many failures of brand new units within 5 years and that warranties seem to max out at 12 years. Is it the ever-evolving efficiencies making them less beefy and/or too complicated? Is it intentional so we replace them more often? Is my 51 year old functioning unit that unique? Thank you! JP in CA
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Author:
packy (MA)
probably a combination of everything you have asked about.
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
If you have very good water, I'd wager that your water heater will still outlast a new replacement. Its not just water heaters, it most everything metallic or electronic.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
IT is unique, but when it was made a one year warranty was the standard, and a five year one was almost unheard of. The life of a water heater is a combination on many factors, water quality, usage, etc. and there is no way to predict how long one will last.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
Wasn't there a water heater made with a copper tank years ago? I can't remember the name, but it had a lifetime warranty.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Servel was one but they were very rare.
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Author:
steve (CA)
I have a Hoyt copper tank at home, installed in the '60s. There is no central flue. The flue gas flows around the outside of the tank and collects under the lid, getting funneled to the draft hood. Unfortunately the lid is steel and the corrosive flue gas rusts out the lid.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
I'd have the welders make one out of stainless.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
For one thing, your 51 yr. old water heater probably weighs in at 500 lbs. or so. It has a whole lot more metal to corrode before it leaks (and there is no anode rod in it, either). But it took two or three men (and a helper) to move it into the house back then. Nowadays, water heaters weigh much less to reduce the hernia risk, lower the price tag, and speed the installation. Downside: they wear out quicker.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
m&m.......1963 not 1863.....Geez, now I feel old.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
in 1863, they used wood or coal.
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Author:
Jkp-ca (CA)
Thank you everyone. I appreciate your experience. Jp-ca
Edited 1 times.
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